USDA has extended the deadline for agricultural producers to apply for Market Facilitation Program payments provided by the agency’s trade mitigation program.
The original application deadline had been January 15, 2019. But farmers have been unable to apply for the program since the lapse in federal funding caused the closure of USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices at the end of business on December 28, 2018.
According to a statement issued by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the application deadline will now be extended for a period of time equal to the number of days FSA were closed once the government shutdown ends.
The Market Facilitation Program has been making payments directly to farmers who have suffered trade damage,” said Perdue. “Using existing funds, we were able to keep FSA offices open as long as possible, but unfortunately had to close them when funding ran out. Farmers who have already applied for the program and certified their 2018 production have continued to receive payments.”
Source : CotttonGrower